We all have expectations of one kind or another. They may be hopes or dreams. They could be aspirations for something better. They might even verge on being fantasies.

Generally, these hopes and dreams remain deep within us. Occasionally we might find the courage to share them with someone.

Sadly, for some these dreams and hopes become lost in the sadness, covered with shame, wiped out by tragedy or buried in profound loss and depression.

Today the expectation of a nation, the People of Israel, is excavated from the tombs of despair by the Anointed One of God. The hopes and dreams of so many are being fulfilled in their hearing.

Jesus has come to free us. He has entered the world to fulfill what God, His Father, had promised. Jesus is the One who to deliver the people from the bondage of sin and death.

We can take hope in that the Promise continues through the work of the Church. The Spirit of God which descended at his baptism and promised through the Prophet Isaiah is now at work in Jesus. Now that same Spirit is at work in each one of us. We are the new People of God and the Spirit is at work in the Body of Christ, the Church.

Christ has come to lift us up. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to us. The words he reads today in the synagogue of Nazareth are also being fulfilled in our hearing too.

Our dreams and hopes, our aspirations and expectations have a means to reach their potential when we join them to our faith and entrust them to Jesus to be fulfilled by the Spirit of God at work in us.

Fr Tom